Ignition Switch

["Al Powell" <apowell@agcom.tamu.edu>]

Hizzoner StevieB said:

> Anybody BTDT with a 1986 A5kCST ignition switch that won't crank the
> starter motor? Everything works as it should until I turn the key in the
> start position and then nothing. No clicks, no nothing. 
> 
> This is an intermittent and apparently random problem as sometimes I get
> in the car and it starts right up. For a while now I've had to put
> slight upward pressure on the key to get it to work but it would always
> start. More and more it has become resistant. Now it won't engage at
> all. Battery is new, starter been replaced and works fine hot or cold. 
> 
> I think it may be an electrical connection in the switch itself, or a
> safety interlock switch somewhere....maybe the trans switch for Park???
> Any ideas?
> 
> Thank you very much. Car is sitting in an area that is not safe and may
> be towed. Any help is appreciated.

Steve, my bet on this one is the starter switch which is located on 
the back end of the ignition switch itself.  A typical failure mode 
is for that end of the ignition switch to break...making it 
impossible for the starter position to make contact.

Why?  Because of Audi's clever lock-out to prevent one from engaging 
the starter after the key has been turned once.  Over time, owners 
tend to forget and twist the key against the stop which prevents 
starter engagement....and they do it often enough to crack off the 
switch "protected" by the lock-out.

The GOOd news is that getting at it on your car is a lot less labor 
than doing it on my 1990 200, which we did about two months ago.

Good luck.



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